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Beijing urges US to cancel arms sale to Taiwan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-08 16:44

BEIJING  -- China's Defense Minister Liang Guanglie Monday urged the United States to immediately cancel its planned weapons sale to Taiwan, and cease all military ties with Taiwan.

US Arms sale to Taiwan has poisoned the sound atmosphere of bilateral military relations and endangered China's national security, Liang told Richard Myers, former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is in Beijing for a visit.

The US government notified the Congress on October 3 about its plan to sell arms to Taiwan, including Patriot III anti-missile systems, the E-2T airborne early warning aircraft upgrade system, parts for F-16 aircraft, and Apache helicopters.

Liang, also a state councilor, said Sino-US relationship is one of the most important bilateral ties in the world, and that China is ready to work with the United States on a stable and healthy relationship.

He urged the United States to take solid actions to show its adherence to the one-China policy, observe the three China-US joint communiques, abide by its commitment to China on the Taiwan issue, and cooperate with China to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits as well as common strategic interests of both countries.

Myers, who retired in 2005, expressed regret over the impact of US arms sale to Taiwan on bilateral military ties. He said the United States hopes to develop a smooth military relationship with China.